Please see the following message from Bridges to Belonging:

"We would like to advise you of an urgent matter concerning future funding for the infrastructure for independent facilitation by the Ministry of Children's and Community Social Services (MCCSS).   
 
As you may or may not be aware,  Bridges to Belonging along with 6 other Independent Facilitation Organizations were funded to provide independent facilitation across Ontario through the Ministry of Children's and Community Social Services (MCCSS) since April 1, 2015.  This funding arrangement expires on March 31, 2019.
 
To date, the Ministry has not provided any indication that the current funding arrangement will continue. Based on the current Provincial government's budgeting reviews and timelines, it appears highly unlikely that future funding will be extended beyond March 31, 2019.
 
The Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) has held a number of constructive discussions with both elected and public service officials in the Government of Ontario to describe the value, benefits and positive impact that independent facilitation has provided in the lives of people with disabilities.
 
Over the next few days and weeks there are a number of things that you can do to be advocate for the continuation of funding for independent facilitation in Ontario.

• Attend the Family Information Session:Thursday, January 17th, 2019 from 6-9pm in Room 2015, at the Family Centre 65, Hanson Ave. Kitchener
• Join the Independent Facilitation Matters Advocacy movement by subscribing to and participating on the social media sites:   http://www.independentfacilitationmatters.com and visit, like and share the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/independentfacilitationmatters
• Post a testimonial statement and/or upload a 1-2 minute video clip about why independent facilitation matters to you. (How to instructions are provided on the site)
• A helpful app that you may wish to use can be found at wetransfer.com. You may wish to contact your local MPP either by phone call and/or email your 2 minute video (using wetransfer) about why Independent Facilitation is important
• Participate in the Province of Ontario Budget Consultations at https://www.ontario.ca/page/budget-consultations

For more information, please feel free to contact either Donnamarie Dunk, Executive Director at 519-886-8886 ext 2420 or Roz Vincent-Haven, Board Chair at 519-746-7950.

Please find the following message from the Independent Facilitation Matters Coalition:

Dear Friends, Partners and Allies,

The Independent Facilitation Matters Coalition is made up of people with developmental disabilities, their family members and loved ones, and other allies who believe that Independent Facilitation makes a difference in the lives of people and families and should continue to be available and funded in Ontario.

But we need your help to do that today.

We’re asking you to visit our website here, sign up for our newsletter, and submit a story of your own: https://www.independentfacilitationmatters.com/

You can also:

• Like and share our Facebook Page, and
• Come organize with us in our Facebook Group, a private space to plan actions and discuss next steps
• Share a 2-minute video of Why Independent Facilitation Matters to you, and
• Contact your local MPP

Here’s one more action you can take right now – sharing your written testimonial about why independent facilitation matters to you.

Please share this information with your networks, so that as many people, loved ones, and allies who are interested in Independent Facilitation can join in and support the Coalition. We want the Ministry to see strong, large numbers of people who care about this!

Thank you,

The Independent Facilitation Matters Coalition

www.independentfacilitationmatters.com

Families will have the opportunity to come and enjoy at Great Wolf Lodge at a special rate just for Autism Ontario!

Great Wolf Lodge is generously offering Autism Ontario families a discounted group rate for stays occurring May 5-11, 2019.

By registering Eventbrite, starting Feb 6th at 930am, you will be given the group code, which allow you to access the reduced rate.  Once you have your group code, you MUST contact Great Wolf Lodge directly, yourself to reserve your stay.

Details About Autism Ontario’s Group Rate:

• A limited number of rooms have been set aside for this group. Families are encouraged to book as soon as possible to secure their reservation.  Rooms are booked first come first served and the Autism Ontario group block has consistently sold-out each year.
• Rates are listed in Canadian dollars and are based on a family of four in a Family Suite that includes up to 4 waterpark passes.
• Passes are not transferable. Additional guest passes can be purchased for $50.00 plus tax, per night stay, per guest from Great Wolf Lodge.
• Call Great Wolf Lodge as soon as you get your group code for the best selection of dates. When calling, identifying yourself as a member of the Autism Ontario Group and you will be asked for the group code that will be provided after the online registration is completed.
• All bookings are based on availability.
• The group rates offered, are based on attaining a minimum number of rooms. If the group minimum is not met, the group guests will be contacted and offered the option to cancel without penalty or rebook at the retail rate. If the group minimum is met and a guest chooses to cancel, the individual cancellation policy applies. 
  • Great Wolf Lodge's Cancellation Policy: You have up to 7 days prior to arrival to cancel with a fee of 15% of your deposit. If you cancel 4-6 days prior to arrival, there will be a 30% fee, and 3 days or less of arrival, the deposit becomes non-refundable.
• Successful registration does NOT guarantee a room reservation. You must contact Great Wolf Lodge yourself with the group code to arrange your reservation before Great Wolf Lodge's booking cut off date of April 5, 2019 - But don’t wait until then!

Learn more here.

Autism Ontario has shared their January 2019 Adult Newsletter.

In this newsletter you will find information about:

• News, Opportunities and Research
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee Members Needed in Toronto
  • Ontario Groups Collaborate with Awake Labs for Anxiety App
  • Ahuri Theatre presents: This Is The Point
  • Toronto Public Health offering modified Food Handlers Certification Course
  • Strategies for Adult ADHD & Aspergers Weekly Walk-in Group
  • Free Adult ADHD & Aspergers Monthly Support Group
  • York Recreation Centre offering adapted programs for adults
  • Ladies Learning Code HTML & CSS Workshops coming to Kingston & Markham  
  • Ladies Learning Code offering JavaScript for Beginners in Toronto  
• Employment
  • Specialisterne is hiring for positions at CIBC

  • Individualized Transition to Life Course Available Throughout Many Ontario Regions

  • New Haven Learning Centre offering Vocational Program

• Community

  • The Art of Kristin Wilkinson

• CALL FOR COMMUNITY VOICES

Click here to read the newsletter.

Triple P positive parenting group starts at the CMHRT, University of Waterloo in March 2019.

What is Triple P?

• Group program based on research evidence and used in 35 countries worldwide
• Opportunity to meet other parents in similar situations
• Provides tips and strategies to suit the individual needs of your family
• Includes a handy workbook with parenting tools and information
• Includes video and demonstrations to put ideas into practice

Who is it for?

• Parents of children ages 3 to 11 years
• Parents seeking strategies to manage challenging child behaviors
• Parents wanting to learn new ideas, to reduce parenting stress, or to feel more confident in their parenting

What does it cost?

• The group program fees are $200 for the 8 week program
• There is an additional cost of $30 for the parent workbook
• Subsidies are possible

Dates: Wednesday nights March 6 to May 1 2019 (excluding March 13 2019)

Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Venue: CMHRT, University of Waterloo (PAS 1401)

Facilitators: Dr. Marjory Phillips (supervisor) with experienced graduate students and residents in clinical psychology

Please contact cmhrtintake@uwaterloo.ca or (519) 888-4567 ext. 33842 if you would like to participate in the program and to discuss whether it is suitable for your family.

Space is limited. For more information, please see  https://uwaterloo.ca/cmhrt/.

Evergreen Neighbourhood Nature Play is looking for volunteers! They are looking for help to provide community access to nature play materials at Gzowski Park and Kingsdale Park.

What you will do:

• Sign up for a date and time that you’ll be in the park
• Unlock the storage container and put out the play materials
• Put away all materials at the end of your visit and secure the storage container

What Evergreen will do:

• Provide training on how to access and use the materials
• Provide guidelines on which materials can be used
• Keep an up-to-date supply of materials
• Provide further assistance and support as needed

Next steps:

• If you are interested contact Zack at zstevens@evergreen.ca
• Evergreen will connect with the group of volunteers to coordinate a brief (30mins) training session
• As a City of Kitchener volunteer, you will be asked to sign up in the volunteer database so that you can be properly supported through this process

The A-Team is primarily run by individuals with Aspergers Syndrome, for individuals with Aspergers Syndrome, with some assistance from Waterloo Region Family Network. The goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment to meet fellow adults with Aspergers Syndrome [or ASD – level 1], discuss topics of interest, share experiences, and embrace our neurological diversity.

In the January newsletter you will find information about:

• the January meeting
• "Quotable Quote"
• ASD Resource/ Event Spotlight
• upcoming meeting date 

Read the January A Team newsletter here.

We hope you all have an enjoyable holiday and are ready to take on 2019! In this issue of Family Pulse you will find information about:

• the WRFN Annual Appeal
• SEAC Updates
• What's Happening at WRFN
• Smart WR Wants to Hear from You!
• Coffee Club Update
• Upcoming Community Events

Read the January issue online here or download a PDF copy.

The 2019 March Break Reimbursement Fund is available to Ontario families of children or youth with ASD who retain the services of a one-to-one support worker OR who have paid for their child to attend a 2019 March break camp or program, but not both.

Maximum reimbursements of $350 per child or youth (up to 18th birthday) will be made to subsidize services purchased between March 11 and March 15, 2019.

Reimbursements will be provided based on a random selection made from all eligible applicants who apply between December 17, 2018 and January 25, 2019.

For more information please visit the website at https://www.autismontario.com/camp.

The following is a list of upcoming 2019 winter group programs at Carizon.

Understanding Me

Day Group I Wednesdays 9:30am—11:30am I Jan 9—Mar 20

Evening Group | Tuesdays 6:30pm— 8:30pm I Jan 8—Mar 19

Provides education & support for women who have experienced emotional or physical abuse within their intimate relationships.

Open group: clients can join at any time.

No fee.

Building Better Boundaries

Mondays 1pm—3pm I Jan 14—Mar 11

Provides education and support for women who have experienced any form of abuse and are working towards setting better boundaries in their lives. Closed Group.

No fee.

Managing Stress for Managing Moods

Thursdays 6:30pm—8:30pm I Jan 10—Mar 7

Helps participants learn methods to cope more effectively with chronic stress and feelings of depression, anxiety and negative moods, identify & change chronically negative thoughts and beliefs to improve self-esteem, self-care and quality of life.

Cost: $200, sliding scale available.

Mindful Moves, Meditation and Relaxation

Mondays 6:30pm—8pm I Jan 14—Mar 4

This class will include a balance of mindful movements to release tension, mindfulness meditation to calm the mind, and guided relaxation to restore the mind and the body. We will also discuss how we might use some of these practices to alter our response to the stresses and discomfort in our everyday lives.

No fee.

Dynamic Girls Gr. 7/8

TBD

The group focuses on improving social interaction, increasing self-esteem and improving mood. Each week will cover different topics and teach girls skills that will help them cope with difficult times, overcome obstacles, and develop healthy relationships with themselves and others while navigating the teen years.

Cost: $150 sliding scale available.

Families in Separate Homes: FISH

Mondays 4:30pm—6pm I Jan 14—Mar 4

FISH is a group for children aged 7-10, designed to help cope with separation and divorce, utilizing Play Therapy. The purpose of the group is to explore some of the concerns, anxieties, and big feelings your child may experience during this transition while relating to other children who may be experiencing similar feelings.

Cost: $150, sliding scale available.

I’m More than My Pain

Fridays 1pm—3pm I Feb 1—Mar 22

This is a support group for people who have chronic pain. This group provides a positive and safe space for people to talk about the ways that they are impacted by having chronic pain as well as to share coping strategies. Discus-sion will include topics such as healthy balance, self-care strategies and dealing with losses because of pain. Each session will include a relaxation or mindfulness activity.

Cost: $200, sliding scale available.

For more information please visit the Carizon website at www.carizon.ca  or call 519.743.6333 for information or registration.